Kamis, Agustus 07, 2008

Iraq allocates $10 billion reconstruction plan for Shiite slum

Baghdad Mayor on Thursday unveiled a $10 billion plan to develop and rehabilitate Baghdad Shiite slum of Sadr city which saw fierce clashes between government forces and militiamen loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Speaking at a press conference, Baghdad Mayor Sabir al-Essawi "the project has been enacted by the Iraqi cabinet”.

He highlighted "the project aims at constructing 150,000 residential units, in addition to expanding and rehabilitating Sadr city's services and infrastructures”..

He did not give information when the project would be launched but noted "Baghdad mayoralty put a mechanism to execute the project."

The local official stressed "global companies will execute the project since no local company can deal with such projects".

"Foreign investors will work on the project's designs and consultancy," he explained.

The Mahdi Army, the armed wing of Sadr's movement, clashed with Iraqi security forces in Basra after PM Nouri al-Maliki announced a crackdown dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan (Knights' Assault) in late March which extended to major southern provinces and held on throughout April and May in the Shiite bastion of Sadr City in Baghdad, until a truce was signed on May 10.